Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Newberg small business becomes essential partner in bond project

Photos and Story by Christine Egan

When Portland Community College decided that its Newberg classroom facility would be built to meet nationwide standards for environmentally friendly construction, that grabbed the attention of one family-owned company in town.

“In 2008, we heard the news that PCC was building a new LEED-certified educational center in Newberg, just down the street from our offices,” said Elee Jen, co-owner of Energy Performance Engineering. “LEED” stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and it’s the yardstick by which all green construction projects are measured. We knew right away that we wanted to work on the project.”

Elee and her husband James started their family-owned and operated company in 2005. Both became LEED-certified professionals in 2007.

The project was good news for Energy Performance Engineering but also good news for PCC.

“We’re excited about having James and Elee on board,” said PCC’s Newberg Project Manager Gary Sutton. “EPE’s office is right down the street from the PCC job site. It’s a win-win to have local representation on our construction team.”

The Jens diligently followed the PCC Bond Program’s contracting process for more than a year.

“Anytime we knew someone was going to be talking about the Newberg facility, we were there, showing interest in the project,” said Elee. “We invested more than a year’s effort to make sure PCC knew who we were and what we could do.”

Sutton said PCC has made it a priority to find opportunities for minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses, or known as MWESB, to take part in the various projects that came about after passage of the 2008 bond measure.

“We make regular presentations at the Oregon Association of Minority Entreprenauers, meet with neighborhood associations across the district, and host monthly meet-and-greets in our bond office for MWESB firms and PCC bond program staff,” Sutton said.

Last April, the Jens’ hard work paid off when PCC awarded them a contract to provide commissioning services for the new facility. Their company will verify that installed building systems, such as heating, ventilation, plumbing and electrical, meet established design standards and PCC’s needs.

PCC started the Newberg contracting process in March 2010 when it issued an informal request for proposals for commissioning services. PCC received four proposals, all of which were from firms certified by the state of Oregon as MWESB. In selecting firms and contractors for bond-funded construction projects, PCC’s Board of Directors specifically directed staff to look for such Oregon businesses. Of the four bids received, PCC selected the Jens’ proposal as the lowest bid.

For two years, PCC has been exploring possible Newberg sites with local representatives. In December 2009, PCC bought 15 acres behind Providence Newberg Medical Center, just south of Highway 99W.

“PCC’s plan to build a new center was well received by the community,” Sutton said. “The city is excited about having it there.”

These capital improvements are part of a November 2008, voter-approved bond measure for PCC to increase classroom space, technology and academic programming across its five-county district. PCC is slated to break ground on the Newberg project this October and doors will be open for fall 2011 classes.